Michael Brophy

Professor Michael Brophy is a leading scholar in French and Francophone Studies at University College Dublin (UCD), affiliated with the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. He has been a central figure in UCD since 1993, advancing from College Lecturer to Professor in 2014, and has held key leadership roles including Head of the School of Languages and Literatures (2011–2014) and Head of French & Francophone Studies (2015–2018). He previously served as Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina and began his academic journey with studies at UCD and Dalhousie University.

His research centers on contemporary French poetry and poetics, with special interests in French-Canadian literature, the poet as critic, text and image, Francophone women poets, and migrant writing in French. His scholarship reflects deep engagement with major figures such as Yves Bonnefoy, Jacques Dupin, Guillevic, and Hélène Dorion, exploring themes of presence, memory, spirituality, and poetic voice.

His recent publications demonstrate a sustained focus on modern and contemporary Francophone poetic expression, often analyzing the intersection of language, identity, and philosophical inquiry. Articles such as 'Remembrements: Heather Dohollau et 'le corps du dehors'' (2023) and 'L’'instant de grâce' ou la fatalité déjouée chez Pierre Bergounioux' (2019) reveal a critical approach that blends close reading with theoretical insight across diverse subfields including poetic embodiment, intertextuality, and literary epiphany.

Brophy has received numerous honors and awards, including:

• Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques (2008)
• Prix du Québec (2008)
• Directeur d'études associé, Fondation Maison des sciences de l'homme (2016)
• President’s Research Fellowship (2001)
• Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship (1987)

He has secured multiple research grants from institutions such as the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and the Government of Canada, and has been actively involved in academic service, including editorial roles and committee memberships. He has also coordinated key teaching modules such as Contemporary French Poetry, Literature of Quebec, and Research in French, reflecting his commitment to both research-led teaching and student development. While there is no mention of formal advisees in the provided texts, his leadership in research and teaching underscores a broader mentorship role within the academic community.

Brophy is not associated with a specific lab or research center in the provided materials, but his international collaborations and editorial contributions suggest active participation in a broad scholarly network focused on Francophone literary and cultural studies.